Former Prime Minister of Haiti Lamothe Meets with United Nations Official Douste-Blazy to Discuss Innovative Financing for Development

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Among many topics, the visionary leaders discussed how IFD can contribute to the developing world

Paris, France (PRWEB)December 08, 2015

Laurent S. Lamothe, LSL World Initiative founder and former Prime Minister of Haiti, and Philippe Douste-Blazy, United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Special Adviser on Innovative Financing for Development (IFD), met on December 2 in Paris to discuss IFD and its contribution to the developing world. Mr. Lamothe, who recently founded LSL World Initiative – a global organization dedicated to the socio-economic empowerment of emerging countries – and Mr. Douste-Blazy, a pioneer in the field of IFD, discussed effective ways to employ the mechanism and potential ways to work together.

Innovative financing is the manifestation of two significant trends in international development: an increased emphasis on programs that deliver results and a need to support collaboration between the public and private sectors. It is a particularly effective alternative to traditional international resource flows, such as aid, foreign direct investment and remittances. In developing countries, IFD unlocks resources to rectify market failures and institutional barriers. Mr. Lamothe and Mr. Douste-Blazy believe that IFD is a vital tool that empowers countries toward a prosperous, sustainable future through economic self-sufficiency.

“Among his many responsibilities, Mr. Douste-Blazy has served in his role advising on matters of Innovative Financing for Development since 2008. He is someone I deeply admire and respect and so it would make sense that we met to discuss our mutual commitment to implementing IFD in more corners of the world,” said Mr. Lamothe. “Referencing Haiti’s success in education through the National Education Program, I explained how the LSL World Initiative’s services and models could contribute to many of the projects and programs the U.N. and other international organizations are currently working on. I left the meeting with an even deeper appreciation for the work that Mr. Douste-Blazy does, and look forward to continuing down the collaborative avenues that we have identified together.”

About Laurent S. Lamothe

Laurent S. Lamothe successfully served as Prime Minister of Haiti between May 2012 and December 2014, the longest tenure of any Prime Minister in the last three decades. During his time in office, Lamothe presided over the design and implementation of an important social policy agenda that targeted the poorest sectors of the Haitian population. Mr. Lamothe also oversaw the largest infrastructure development in recent memory throughout Haiti, and served as co-chair of the Council for the Economic Development and Investment in Haiti in 2011 with United States President Bill Clinton.

Under Mr. Lamothe’s leadership, foreign direct investment increased to the highest level since the fall of the Duvalier dictatorship in the mid-1980s. Mr. Lamothe also pursued reforms that helped make Haiti more business-friendly, including the implementation of 15-year tax holidays and tax breaks to companies investing in the island nation, and increasing the police force by 30 percent.

Mr. Lamothe brought to the office of Prime Minister an entrepreneurial spirit and dynamism that earned him the title of “Entrepreneur of the Year” by Ernst and Young in May 2008. More recently in November 2014, Latin Trade magazine recognized his innovative skills by naming him the year’s Innovative Leader of the Americas, noting that Mr. Lamothe “helped establish a paradigm shift for Haiti as a destination for investment, rather than simply for humanitarian aid.”

Having grown up in a country affected by poverty and lack of resources at all levels, this savvy businessman has developed a deep sense of social responsibility and a strong tendency to assist those in need. Mr. Lamothe is a pragmatist who, throughout his role serving in the public sector, emphasized practical solutions over partisan politics to address the urgent needs of Haiti.

Mr. Lamothe obtained a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Barry University in Miami and his MBA with honors from the University of St. Thomas.

About LSL World Initiative

The LSL World Initiative (LSLWI) is a global organization dedicated to the socio-economic empowerment of emerging countries founded by Laurent S. Lamothe, a visionary leader driven by a deep sense of global social responsibility. Mr. Lamothe successfully served as Prime Minister of Haiti between May 2012 and December 2014, the longest tenure of any Prime Minister in the last three decades.

Against the bleak background of the global economic crisis, traditional forms of financing for development are under pressure. Countries must find alternative sources of financing or face falling short of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). LSL World Initiative’s mission is to help governments achieve their SDGs by thinking outside the box of traditional foreign aid to bring proven solutions that identify new revenue sources through innovative financing development mechanisms.

Countries working with LSL World Initiative transparently determine the allocation of funds according to their priorities including vital needs such as clean water, housing development, health and education services. Ultimately, LSL World Initiative empowers countries toward a prosperous, sustainable future through economic self-sufficiency.